Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Zack, left, speaks during a ceremony honoring Lt. Patrick Gordiski, second from left, at the central Greenwich fire station, Tuesday night, July 31, 2012. Gordiski was honored for 40 years of service as a Greenwich firefighter. less

At left, Lt. Patrick Gordiski of the Greenwich Fire Department, shakes hands with First Selectman Peter Tesei during a ceremony honoring Gordiski's 40th year on the job as a Greenwich firefighter at the central Greenwich fire station, Tuesday night, July 31, 2012. less

At left, Lt. Patrick Gordiski of the Greenwich Fire Department, shakes hands with First Selectman Peter Tesei during a ceremony honoring Gordiski's 40th year on the job as a Greenwich firefighter at the central ... more

A Greenwich Time clipping from Aug. 10, 1972, shows Patrick Gordiski, center, receiving his fireman's badge from Greenwich First Selectman William Lewis, right, as Fire Chief William Dawson looks on. A ceremony was held for Lt. Gordiski marking his 40th year on the job at the central Greenwich fire station, Tuesday night, July 31, 2012. less

A Greenwich Time clipping from Aug. 10, 1972, shows Patrick Gordiski, center, receiving his fireman's badge from Greenwich First Selectman William Lewis, right, as Fire Chief William Dawson looks on. A ceremony ... more

At right, Lt. Patrick Gordiski of the Greenwich Fire Department smiles with his son, Matt, also a Greenwich firefighter, during a ceremony honoring the older Gordiski's 40th year on the job at the central Greenwich fire station, Tuesday night, July 31, 2012. less

At right, Lt. Patrick Gordiski of the Greenwich Fire Department smiles with his son, Matt, also a Greenwich firefighter, during a ceremony honoring the older Gordiski's 40th year on the job at the central ... more

"He just had his physical, and they said he is better shape than most of the younger guys we have here," Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Zack said Tuesday as dozens of firefighters milled about chatting and eating cake.

Praising both their colleague's vitality and unrivaled knowledge of the town he has spent a majority of his life serving, dozens of firefighters gathered at the Greenwich central fire station to honor his 40th anniversary with the department.

Gordiski, whose career as a firefighter began after leaving the United States Air Force in the late 1970s, also celebrated with his brother and wife, both of whom said it was always his aspiration to join a fire brigade.

"He actually told them when he enlisted that he wanted to become a firefighter," said his wife, Ginny Gordiski, whose son Matthew is also a firefighter in Greenwich. "He always knew what he wanted to do, even when I met him years ago."

When describing what had initially drawn him to firefighting, as well as kept him there for decades in Greenwich, Gordiski was remarkably frank -- it all boiled down to helping those in need.

Gordiski enlisted in the Air Force straight out of high school despite the draft laws in place during the Vietnam War.

"I just like helping people," said Gordiski, who has also served as part of a volunteer force for 45 years in Port Chester, N.Y. "It's challenging every day, and you never know what is going to happen."

Colleagues in the fire department say Gordiski has become an invaluable asset in his time on the force, using both his knowledge of the town and deep friendships with other firefighters to effectively protect residents.

Ted Ruehl, who has been Gordiski's partner for roughly five years, said the lieutenant's childhood in Greenwich gave him an internal roadmap.

"He lives in town, and he knows the town like the back of his hand, which is necessary when we're responding to an emergency," Ruehl said.

Ruehl said Gordiski had been on the force so long, he could practically read the minds of those around him when dealing with a fire. He referenced a recent attempt to rescue passengers from a burning car, when Gordiski was able to offer his partner tools and advice without being prompted.

Shortly before the end of Tuesday evening's brief celebration, Ruehl summed up the reasons for both Gordiski's long work in the department and his fellow firefighters' admiration for the long-time veteran.

"There is an aspect about him that makes him invaluable," Ruehl said. "He'll go out of his way to help anybody."